Napoleon And Europe

Napoleon was a military general who rose to power in Europe in the early 1800s. He was successful in conquering many territories, but his ambitions led to his downfall. After his defeat in Russia, he was exiled to the island of Elba. He returned to power in 1815 and was eventually defeated by the British at Waterloo. His legacy includes the establishment of the French Empire and the destruction of the ancien regime and feudalism in Europe.

Two hundred years ago, Napoleon was at the apogee of his power in Europe. This broad ranging reassessment explores the key themes presented by his extraordinary career: from his rise to power and the foundation of the imperial state, to the final defeat of his grand vision following the doomed invasion of Russia. It was a period of almost uninterrupted war in Europe, the consquences of victory or failure repeatedly transforming the political map. But Napoleons impact reached much deeper than this, achieving the ultimate destruction of the ancien regime and feudalism in Europe, and leaving a political and juridical legacy that persists today.